Fluto opeeateb  gear-shifting



FLUID OPERATED GEAR SHIF'IING MECHANISM Original Filed Oct. 28, 1929 2Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Kemvsru MCG'AJK/LL RTTO-RNELS.

NOV. 27, 1934. K w GASKILL Re. 19,382

FLUID OPERATED GEAR SI'IIFTING MECHANISM Original File i 0st. 28, 1929 2Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR KENNE TH W511 smu.

ATTORNEY Reiissued Nov. 27, 1934 I UNITED STATES FLUID OPERATEDGEAR-SHIFTING MECHANISM Kenneth w. Gaskill, Cleveland, Ohio Original No.1,826,452, dated August 25, 1931,

. Serial No. 403,104, October 28, 1929. Application for reissue August23,

Whereas,.in the present standard form of auto mobile, the gears'areshifted by-first depressing bility in operation.

the clutch and then manipulating a hand lever for actually changing thegear ratio, in the present device, this hand lever may be entirelydispensed with and the gear ratio may be changed by depression of theclutch pedal as a continuation of the same operation employed fordisconnecting the engine-from the drive shaft. In other ,words, withthe' present arrangement, itis 'contemplated to provide an adjustablemeans within 'easy reach of the hand of the operator, which can be setfor any gear ratio desired and then upon depression of the clutch pedal,the change in the gear combination may be effected without theemployment of any other lever.

The present invention contemplates the employment of a hydraulic means,as for instance oil, which may be compressed upon depression of theclutch pedal to effect adjustmentof the gears in the transmission, theselection of the proper gear ratio and the determination of the properchannels for delivery of the fluid pressure so as to effect such changein the gear ratio, being efiected by means of a distributonwhich can beset by means of a hand lever arranged in the vicinity of thestee'ringwheel.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide such ahydraulic means for shifting the gears into any one of the gear ratiosas now found in the standard form of transmission, together with a meansfor first setting a suitable form of distributor for selecting the pathof the fluid for operation of such mechanism, such operation to beeffected upon full depression of the clutch pedal. 7 r

A further object is to devise such a form of mechanism which may bearranged entirely beneath the .floor board of the automobile and whichmay be practically free of any parts which are apt to getout of order orto lack dependa- A further object is to devise such a. form ofmechanismin which the clutch pedal may be partly depressed so as todisconnect the engine from the drive shaft, without setting intooperation the gear shift mechanism until the clutch pedal has been morefully depressed, should occasion demand.

Other objects will be apparent from' the fol-- 1933, Serial No.

15 Claims. (01. 74 -334) Fig. 1 is a view taken on line 1--1 of Fig. 2;Fig. 2 is a view taken on line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a view taken online 3-'-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a view taken on line 44 of Fig. 3; Fig.5 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 1 partly shown in section;

Fig. .6 is a view taken online 6-6 of Fig. 5; Fig. '7 is a view taken online 7'7 of Fig. 8; Fig. 8 is a view taken on line 8-8 of Fig? Fig. 9corresponds to a portion of Fig. 'l with the rotatable disk removed;

Fig. 10 is a view taken on line l0-10 of Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is a plan viewof the rotatable disk; Fig. 12 is a view taken on line 1212 of Fig. 11;Fig; 13 is a vertical sectional view of the compression cylinderarranged foroperation in conjunction with the clutch pedal; and

Fig. 14 is a vie w taken on line 14-14 of Fig. 13. The present inventionis here shown in conjunction with the present standard form of gearshift embodying the transmission 1 in which is enclosed the gearcombinations including first or low gear, second or intermediate gear,third orhigh gear, as well as reverse gear and neutral. The positions ofthe several gears embodied in the transmission are the same inthepresent case as in the standard form of gear shift and they aretherefore not here illustrated. However, in

Fig- 5, there are indicated the relative positions of the same withreference to the means for shifting the same. I

In the present arrangement, there are provided also the brake pedal 2which may be operated in the same manner as in the present form ofautomobile, and the clutch pedal 3 which may likewise be operated in thesame customary manner. The'regular form of steering wheel is indicatedby reference numeral 4. As will be seen from the drawings, especiallyFig. 1, there is not here required the customary gear shift lever. Theentire gear shift mechanism in the present case is arranged beneath thefloor board 5 which may be'removed whenever desired for access thereto.The clutch pedal is pivotally mounted at the point 6 and is adapted tocontrol the clutch which is arranged in the same customary manner forconnecting or disconnecting the engine from the drive shaft '7. In thepresent arrangement there is no change required in the position orconstruction of the engine which is therefore here indicated only inageneral way in Figs. 1 and 2.

.The means for effecting adjustment of the gears so as to change theirratio in the transmission, comprises the plunger rod 8 provided with theenlarged rounded end portion 9 adapted for seating engagement in therecesses 10 and 11 formed in the end portions of the rearwardlyextending rods 12 and 13 connected with the gears within thetransmission. The parts in the position indicated in Fig. 5 are inneutral and accordingly the plunger 14 on the other end of the rod 8 ismidway of the length of the cylinder 15. This cylinder is mounted forrocking adjustment about therethrough. These'apertures are adapted to beclosed by disk 20 arranged upon the under side of plunger 19, the disk20 being held in such position by means of the strips 21 secured to theunder side of the plunger 19, as indicated in Figs. 13 and 14. Thus,there is provided a one-way valve through the plunger 19 which will beclosed upon downward movement of the same so as to effect compression ofthe fluid within the cylinder 17 and to transmit such compressionthrough the pipe 22. Upon release of the clutch pedal which willautomatically return to raised or idle position, as is now customary inthe standard automobile construction, the valve through the piston 19will be open so as to permit passage of the fluid therethrough. At thistime, disk 20 is supported upon the strips 21, as indicated in Fig. 13.Any suitable 1 form of opening may be provided for supplying the fluidto the cylinder 15.

As a means of determining the connections between the cylinders 15 and1'? so as to regulate the distribution of the fluid pressure accordingto the direction and extent of movement desired for the piston 14, Ihave provided a distributing mechanism which can be adjusted into properposition accordingto the connections desired. This distributor isillustrated especially upon sheet 2 of.

the drawings and is controlled by means of a hand lever arrangedin closeproximity to the steering wheel 4. As illustrated'in Fig. 3, there isprovided upon theupper part of thesteering post, a rack 24 upon whichare indicated the several positions to which the control lever may bemoved 28 are graduated upwardly in the opposite direc-.

tion. The other ends of the depressions are formed as abrupt shoulders,as indicated in Fig. 3. The lever 25 is mounted upon one end of theadjusting rod 29 which may extend along the outside or the inside of thesteering post and which, at its lower end, has a bevel gear 30 meshingwith the bevel gear 31 upon the horizontally extending shaft 32 beneaththe floor board. The other end of this shaft has a bevel gear 33 meshingwith.

1 the bevel gear 34 upon the shaft 35 which in turn The means. for r hasa, bevel gear 36 adapted to operate the bevel gear 3'? on the shaft 38for operation thereof. Shaft 38 is mounted in the one end portion of thedistributor which in a general way comprises the casting 39 .and theplate 40 secured thereto by means of the screw bolts 41. The distributoris arranged beneath the floor board, as clearly indicated in Figs. 1 and2, and is mounted upon the same corresponding member of the chassisframe as the bracket 16. The distributor is in close proximity to thecylinder 15, and upon the shaft 38 there is mounted the cam 42 adaptedto engage the projection .43 upon the side of the cylinder 15 forautomatically rocking the same about its pivot 16 against the tension ofthe spring 44' in order to shift the plunger shaft laterally and causethe end portion 9 to engage in the recess 10, as may be required foreffecting the desired gear ratio.

The casting 39 is provided with the three parallel longitudinallyextending channels 45, 46, and 47. The channel 45 has a pipe connection48 with the one end ofthe cylinder 15 while the channel 47 has a pipeconnection 49 with the other end of the cylinder '15. The channels 45,46, and 47 open at one end in the chamber 50 provided in the casting 39,as indicated at 45*, 46, and 47 and these channels open at their otherends in the chamber 51 formed in the other end of the casting 39, asindicated at 45 46 and 47*. There is provided also in the casting 39 thebypass channel 52 which opens at its two ends in the chambers 50 and 51,respectively, through the side walls thereof. The pipe 23 is connectedat .ber 50, and the communication between these two chambers, as well asthrough the channels just referred to, is controlled by means of the.rotatable disk 54 which is mounted upon the post 38 and which seatswithin the chamber 50. This disk is provided with a hub 54 which extendsthrough the chamber 53. The disk 54 is provided with the ports 55, '56,57, and 58, which extend entirely through the body thereof. These ports,upon rotatable adjustment of the disk 54 are adapted to be brought intoregistry with the ends of the channels 45 and 47. The disk 54 isprovided also with the angular ports 55, 56, 57, and 58' which arearranged diametrically opposite the ports 55, 56, 5'7. and58,respectively. The angular ports 55356, 57, and 58' are adapted, uponrotatable adjustment of the disk 54, to provide communication betweenthe channels 45 and 47 and the bypass 52- either at the one end thereof,or through the auxiliary branch '52 of the by-pass which is arrangeddiametrically opposite to the one end of the by-pass 52, as clearlyindicated in Fig. 7.

Arranged within the chamber 51 is the valve member 59 mounted forrotatable adjustment upon the post 60. This valve member has the twodiametrically extending arms 61 and 62 which are adapted in one positionto extend across and close the ends 45 and 47 of the channels 45 and 47,respectively. This position is indicated in Fig. '7. When the valve 59is in such position, the channel 46 is permitted to open at 46 into thechamber 51, as indicated in Fig. 8. Likewise, in the correspondingposition of the disk 54, the other end of the channel 46 is permitted toregister with the port 63 in the disk 54 and thereby communicates withchamber 53. The purpose of the valve 59 is to maintain the ends 45 and47 of the channels 45 and 4? closed .and this particular means isdepended upon when the device is in neutral, as will appear. The meansfor automatically effecting rotatable adjustment of the valve 59comprises a pin 64 on the plunger rod 8, thispin engaging in the slottedarm 65 mounted upon the post 60.

As a means of ensuring transmission of pres sure through pipes 48 and 49when the valve 59 opens the ends 45 and 4'7 of the channels45 and 47, Ihave provided an automatically operated valve 66 which has a notchedportion engaging over the edge of a member 67 fixed in the casting andto which there is fastened the one end of the spring 68, the other endof which is connected to the valve member 66. The rear end of the valvemember 66 extends into the path of the rotatable disk'54 which isnotched, as indicated at 69, for receiving the rear end portion of thevalve 66 when the parts are in neutral position. As will appear in thefollowing explanation, the valve 66 is permitted to be open when theparts are in neutral position but the valve 66 will be automaticallyclosed to prevent escape of fluid pressure therethrough when the disk 54occupies any other/ position. This is accomplished by the inner end ofthe valve 66 being engaged by the full edge portion of the'disk 54 as itrotates in either direction. Such engagement causes effective closurebetween the valve 66 and the wall of the by-pass. In this way, there isprevented the escape or equalization of the pressure and as a result,the pressure may be distributed in an effective manner through thechannels just referred to so as to be impressed upon either side of theplunger 14 in effecting the desired change in the gear ratio.

The operation of the present device will now be briefly described.Assuming that the mechanism is in neutral position, as indicated in Fig.5 of the drawings, then in order to shift to low gear, control lever arm25 is moved to the left, as viewed in Fig. 3, to the position indicatedas Projection 27 will thus be moved down into depression 28 and lever 25can not be moved past low position without depressing arm 26 so as toraise projection to permit the same to pass out of depression 28. Suchmanipulation will, through the operating connections already described,cause the cam member 42 to rotate in a clockwise direction and move thecylinder 15 about its pivot point so as to bring the rounded end portion9 into the recesses 10. At the same time, the disk/54 is also rotated ina clockwise direction to such an extent that the port 55 is brought intoregistry with the one end 45 013 the channel 45, and the oppositelydisposed angular port will establish communication between the one end47 of the channel 4'7 and the branch portion 52 of the by-pass. Theparts are placed in such position of adjustment prior to the depressionof the clutch pedal3. With the parts in such position, the operator thendepresses til the clutch pedal 3, with the result that the plunger 19 iscaused to descend in the cylinder 17,

as viewed in Fig. 13, and to effect compression of the fluid therein.This compression is transmitted through the pipe' 22; thence into thechamber 53, through the port 55 and into theposition of the valve 59illustrated in Fig. 8. This is by virtue of the lost motion permittedbetween the pin 64 and the slot 65. Moreover, the valve 66 has alreadybeen closed by adjustment of disk 54. From the channel 45, thecompression of the fluid is transmitted through the pipe 48 into thecylinder 15 so as to impress itself upon the rear side of the plunger14. Such compression at this point moves the plunger 14 from neutralposition to the left, as viewed in Fig. 5, and thereby causes the gearsto be shifted from neutral to low; Such movement of the plunger rod 8will, through the pin and slotconnection 64 and 65, cause a rotatableadjustment of the valve 59 in a clockwise direction so as to uncover theends 45 and 4'7 of the channels 45 and 47 which open into the chamber51. However, the compression of the fluid is prevented from escaping outthrough the by-pass 52 from the chamber 51 by means of the valve 66which upon rotatable adjustment of the'disk 54 has been caused toeffectively engage the side wall of the by-pa 52 and thereby preventpassage of the fluid past this point. Passage through channel 46 is alsoprevented by adjustment of port 63 out of reg the gear ratio known asfirst or low gear. Upon release of pedal 3, the gears will remain inthis position.

Assuming now that it is desired to shift from low to reverse gear, theoperator now depresses lever 26 so as to permit adjustment of the leverarm 25 to the point marked reverse upon the rack 24. Such manipulationwill cause further rotatable adjustment of the disk 54in a clockwisedirection so as to bring the port 5'7 into registry with the one end 4'7of the channel 47 and at the sametime, cause the angular port 57' toestablish communication between the end 45 of channel 45 and theone endof the by-pass 52.

Then upon depression of the clutch pedal, the compression created withinthe cylinder 17 is transmitted through the pipe 22 to the chamber 53,thence through the port 5'7, the channel 4'7, and pipe connection 49,into theo'ne end of the cylinder 15 so as to force the plunger 14 to theright, as viewed in Fig. 5. It is understood that during this adjustmentthe cam 42 remains in engagement with the cooperating projection 43 soas to maintain the cylinder'15 and the rounded end 9 in the sameposition to'which originally moved upon establishing low gearcombination.

The movement of plunger 14 to the right, as

viewed in Fig. 5, will thereby cause the gear shifting rod 12'to move tothe right and to establish the reverse gear combination; During suchmovement of the plunger rod 8, the valve 59 is caused to move in acounter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 8, and to pass beyondclosed position, but the valve 66 has already been closed by theadjustment of disk 54, and port 63 has been closed by adjustment ofdisk' 54.

In this way, there is prevented any loss of the fluid compression whichis relied upon for the accomplishment of the adjustment as nowdescribed. Upon release of the clutch pedal, the

low position to the position indicated as sec-' ond upon the rack 24.This adjustment can be effected without depressing lever 26. Suchadjustment causes rotation of the disk 54 in a counter-clockwisedirection to such an extent that the port 56 will register with the oneend 47 of the channel 47, and the diametrically disposed angular port.56 will establish communication between the end 45 of channel 45 andthe one end of the by-pass 52. Then upon depression of the clutch pedal,the fluid is compressed within the cylinder 17 whence it is dischargedthrough the pipe 22 into the chamber 53, through the port 56, thechannel 4'7, the pipe 49, and into the left hand end of the cylinder 15,as viewed in Fig. 5. The piston 14 is thereby moved toward the rightthrough neutral position at which point the plunger rod 8 is caused toengage in the notch 11 by virtue of the spring 44 upon release of thecam 42 from eifective engagement. Then further movement of the piston 14will cause the gear rod 13 to be moved toward the right, as viewed inFig. 5, and to thereby establish the middle gear combination. Suchmovement of the piston 14 causes discharge of the-fluid out through thepipe 48, the channel 45, the angular port 56, the bypass 52, thencethrough the pipe 23 to the upper side of the plunger 19. Here againthere should be kept in mind the eiTect of the valve 66 in preventingescape of the pressure except along the course indicated, even thoughthe valve 59 is opened by movement of rod 8. When arm 25 has been set insecond position, it can not be moved to high without depressing lever 26so as to permit the projection 2'7 to pass over the shoulders of thedepression.

Then in order to shift from intermediate to high gear, the lever 26 isdepressed and the arm 25 is adjusted to the corresponding pointindicated upon therack 24 so as to rotate the disk 54 in a furthercounter-clockwise direction and thereby bring the port 58 into registrywith the one end 45 of the channel 45 and at the same time, the angularport 58' establishes communication between the end 4'7 of the channel4'7 and the branch 52 of the by-pass 52. With such line of communicationestablished, the clutch pedal upon being depressed, will cause thecompressed fluid in the cylinder 17 to be distributed through the pipe22 into the chamber 53 thence through port 58, channel 45, pipe 48, intothe one end of cylinder 15 so as to move the plunger 14 to the left, asviewed in Fig. 5, and thereby'move the gear rod to the left to establishthe high gear ratio.

In order to shift the gears from either low or high to neutral position,this may be accomplished by first shifting the lever 25 to the neutralposition indicated on the rack 24, without depressing lever 26, and thendepressing the clutch pedal. Such adjustment of the lever 25 will bringthe disk 54 to the position indicated in Fig. '7 so as to registerthe'port 63 with the one end 46 of the channel 46 which opens at itsother end into chamber 51. At this time, valve 59 is open and the valve66 engages in the notch 69 so as to permit free passage of the fluidthroughout'the entire by-pass 52. With such circuit of fluiddistribution established, depression of the clutch pedal will cause thefluid to pass from the cylin- (161' 17 through the pipe 22, chamber 53,port 63', channel 46 into chamber 51, thence through channel'47, pipe49, to cylinder 15, through pipe 48, channel 45, chamber 51, by-pass 52,pipe 23 and to cylinder 17. Thus, the pressure is equalized upon the twosides of plunger 14, and the return of valve 59 to.c1osed position,corresponding to neutral, indicated in Fig. '7, will then ensure thecontinuance of such neutral position should the clutch pedalbedepressed. without making any adjustment for change of gear ratio.That is, with valve 59 closed and the valve 66 open, depression of theclutch pedal will merely cause compression of the fluid through the pipe22, chamber 53, port 63, channel 46, chamber 51, by-pass 52, and pipe23, back to cylinder 17. Since this circuit does not include thechannels 45 and 4'7, there will be no movement of the plunger 14.Projection 2'7 may rest in a slight depression when in neutral position.7

Likewise in order to shift from second or reverse gear to neutral, thearm 25 is properly set without depressing lever 26. Thus, the disk 54 isset in the same manneras just explained and the same circuit isestablished so that upon depression of the clutch pedal, compressionwill be exerted from cylinder 17 through pipe 22, chamber 53, port 63,channel 46, chamber 51, channel 45, pipe 48, cylinder 15, out throughpipe 49, channel 4'7, chamber 51, by-pass 52, and pipe 23 back tocylinder 17. Thus the pressure is equalized upon the two sides ofplunger 14 and the valve 59 is closed by movement of plunger, rod 8.Then, with the parts in such position and until further adjustmentthereof, the depression of the clutch pedal will merely causecompression of the fluid through the distributor and will not affect theplunger 14, as will be understood from the explanation immediatelypreceding.

It is to be understood that upon shifting from either low gear orreverse gear to neutral, the rounded end of rod 8 will be automaticallymoved into engagement with notch 11.

In case of shifting the gears from either reverse to "low or from "highto intermediate. the setting of arm 25 may be facilitated by depressinglever 26 so as to cause projection 27 to engage the shoulder of thecorresponding depression when the arm 25 has reach-ed proper position.

In case rod 29 should extend along the inside of the steering column,then the arm 25 may be located at the center of the steering wheel.

From the present disclosure, it will be seen that I have not onlydispensed with the familiar gearshift lever. but I have devised amechanism which is of comparatively simple construction and whichcontains a minimum number of parts that might be apt to requireattention or replacement. Furthermore, the several parts of themechanism may be recognized as units to which access may be readily hadand which can be removed and replaced, as may be required. withoutdisassembling the other parts of the mechanism. Likewise, the originalinstallation of the several parts of the mechanism is greatlyfacilitated. Other advantages will suggest themselves to those who arefamiliar with the art to which the present invention relates.

What I claim is:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of an engine, ashaft adapted to be driven thereby, a clutch connection and geartransmission between said engine and shaft, a reciprocatable plungeroperatively connected to said gear ratio, a reciprocatable' plungeroperatively connected to the clutch control, means'including adistributor for transmitting fluid pressure from said second-namedplunger to said first-named plunger, a single means for adjusting saiddistributor so as toestablish proper connections for the fluid pressureaccording to the gear ratio desired, and for adjusting said first-namedplunger laterally in one direction in accordance with the adjustment ofthe distributor, and means for automatically effecting lateraladjustment thereof .in the opposite direction.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of an engine, ashaft adapted to be driven thereby, a clutch connection and geartransmission between said engine and shaft, a

laterally. adjustable, reciprocatable plunger operatively connected tosaid gear transmission for effecting change in the gear ratio, areciprocatable plunger operatively connected to the clutch control,means including a distributor for transmitting fluid pressure from saidsecond-named plunger to said first-named plunger, means for adjustingsaid distributor so as to establish proper connections for the fluidpressure according. to the gear ratio desired and'for simultaneouslyadjusting said first-named plungerlaterally in one direction inaccordance with the adjustment of the distributor, and means forautomatically effecting lateral adjustment of said first-named plungerin the opposite direction.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of an engine, ashaft adapted to be driven thereby, a clutch connection and geartransmission between said engine and shaft, a laterally adjustable,reciprocatable plunger operatively' connected to said gear transmissionfor effecting change in the gear ratio, a reciprocatable plungeroperatively connected to the clutch control, means including adistributor for ';transmitting fluid pressure fromsaid secondnamedplunger to said first-named plunger, rotatable meahsfor adjusting saiddistributor so as to establish proper connections for the fluid pressureaccording to the gear ratio desired, cam means actuated by saidrotatable means for adjusting said first-named plunger laterally in onedirection in accordance with the adjustment of the distributor, andspring means for automatically effecting lateral adjustment of saidfirst-named plunger in the opposite direction.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of an engine, ashaft adapted to be driven thereby, a clutch connection and geartransmission between said engine and shaft, fluid means for changing thegear ratio in said transmission, a unitary form of adjustabledistributor for selecting the path of the fluid pressure to be effectedaccording to the gear ratio desired, said distributor comprising twochambers, channels connecting .said chambers, a rotary valve in'each ofsaid chambers for control ling the fluid pressure therethrough and meansoperatable in conjunction with the clutch for placing the fluid underpressure.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of an engine, ashaft adapted to be driven thereby, a clutch connection and geartransmission between said engine and shaft, fluid means distributorcomprising two chambers, channels connecting said chambers, a rotaryvalve in, each of said chambers for controlling the fluid pressuretherethrough, said channels and valves being so constructed and arrangedthat fluid pressure may be rendered effective for the several gearratios and ineffective for neutral position thereof, and meansopera-table in conjunction with the clutch for placing the fluid underpressure.

6. In a device of the class described, the comb'nation of an engine, ashaft adaptedto be driven thereby, a clutch connection and geartransmission between said engine and shaft,

fluid-actuated plunger means for changing the gear ratio insaidtransmission, a unitary form of adjustable distributor for selectingthe path of the fluid pressure to be effected according to the gearratio desired, said distributor compris ing two chambers, channelsconnecting said chambers, a rotary valve in'each of said chamhere forcontrolling the fluid pressure therethrough, fluid pressure connectionsbetween said distributor and the opposite sides of said plunger, saidchannels and valves being so constructed and arranged that fluidpressure may be communicated to said plunger-means for eifecting theseveral gear ratios and will be excluded from said plunger means whilein neutral position, and means operatable in conjunction with the clutchfor placing the fluid under pressure.

'7. In a device of the class described, the combination of an engine, ashaft adapted to be driven thereby, a clutch connection and gear'transmission between said engine and shaft, a

fluid-actuated means including 'a single piston operable at all times asa single piston and opereratably connected to said gear transmission foreffecting change in the gear ratio, a single fluid compression meansoperatively connected to the clutch control, means including adistributor for transmitting fluid pressure from said compression meansto said fluid-actuated means, and means for adjusting said distributorso as to establish proper connections for the fluid pressure accordingto the gear ratio desired and to neutnalize the efiect of saidfluid-actuated means so as to return the gear transmission to neutralposition. 7

8. In a device of the class described, the combination of an engine, ashaft adapted to be driven thereby, a clutch connection and geartransmission'between said engine and shaft, a

reciprocatable plunger operatively connected to said gear transmissionfor effecting change in the 1 gear ratio, a single reciprocatableplunger operable at all 'times as a single plunger and operativelyconnected to the clutch control, means ineluding a distributor fortransmitting fluid pressure from said second-namedplunger to saidfirst-named plunger, and means for adjusting said distributor so as toestablish proper connections for the fluid pressure according to thegear ratio desired, and to equalize the pressure upon the opposite sidesof said first-named plunger soas to return the gear transmission toneutral position.

9. In a device of the class described, the combinationof an engine, ashaft adapted to be driven thereby, a clutch connection and geartransmission between said engine and shaft, means openatively connectedto said gear transmission for effecting change in the gear ratio, saidmeans being capable of pivotal lateral adjustment according to andpreparatory to the change desired in the gear ratio control meansconnections according to the gear ratio desired and for simultaneouslyeffecting pivotal adjustment of said first-named means laterally in onedirection in accordance with the adjustment of said adjustable means,and means for automatically effecting lateral pivotal adjustment of saidfirst-named means in the opposite direction.

10. In a device of the class described, the combination of an engine, ashaft adapted to be driven thereby, a clutch connection and geartransmission between said engine and shaft, means operatively connectedto said gear transmission for effecting change in the gear ratio forboth forward and reverse drive, said means being capable of lateraladjustment according to and preparatory to the change desired in thegear ratio, control means therefor operatively connected to the clutchcontrol, a single spring ,means operable only for efiecting returnmovemitting energy from said control means to said first-named means,adjustable means for establi'shing proper control connections accordingto the gear ratio desired and for simultaneously adjusting saidfirst-named means laterally in one direction in accordance with theadjustment of said adjustable means, and means for automaticallyeffecting lateral adjustment of said firstnamed means in the oppositedirection.

11. In a device of the class described, the combination of an engine, ashaft adapted to bedriven thereby, a clutch connection and geartransmission between said engine and shaft, means operatively connectedto said gear transmission for effecting change in the gear ratio, saidmeans being capable of pivotal lateral adjustment according to andpreparatory to the change desired in the gear ratio, means having directengagement with said laterally adjustable means for effecting adjustmentthereof, control meanstherefor operatively connected to the clutchcontrol, means for transmitting energy from said control means to saidfirst-named means, adjustable means for establishing proper controlconnections according to the gear ratio desired and including a cam forsimultaneously adjusting said first-named means laterally in onedirection in accordance with the adjustment of said adjustable means,and means for automatically effecting lateral adjustment of saidfirst-named means in the opposite direction.

12. In a device of the class described, the combination of an engine, ashaft adapted to be driven thereby, a clutch connection and geartransmission between said engine and shaft, means operatively connectedto said gear transmission for effecting change in the gear ratio, saidmeans being capable of pivotal lateral adjustment according to andpreparatory to the change desired in the gear ratio, pivoted, cam meansoperable through a fixed plane for effecting said lateral adjustment,control means for the said laterally adjustable means operativelyconnected to the clutch control, means for transmitting energy from saidcontrol means to said firstnamed means, adjustable means forestablishing proper control connections according to the gear ratiodesired and for simultaneously actuating said cam means for adjustingsaid first-named meanslaterally in one direction in accordance with theadjustment of said adjustable means,

and preparatory to the change desired in the gear ratio, means includinga distributor for transmitting fluid pressure to said. plunger, a-singlemeans for adjusting said distributor so as to establish properconnections for the fluid pressure according to the gear ratio desiredand for adjusting said plunger laterally in one direction in accordancewith the adjustment of the distributor, and means for automaticallyeifecting lateral adjustment thereof in the opposite direction.

14. In a device of the class described, the combination of an engine, ashaft adapted to be driven thereby, a gear transmission between saidengine and shaft, a reciprocatable plunger operatively connected to saidgear transmission for effecting change in the gear ratio, said plungerbeing capable of lateral adjustment according to and preparatory to thechange desired in the gear ratio, means including a distributor fortransmitting energy to said plunger, a single means for 15-;

adjusting said distributor so as to establish proper connections for thetransmission of energy according to the gear ratio desired and foradjusting said plunger laterally in one direction in accordance with theadjustment of the distributor, and

means for automatically effecting lateral adjustment thereof in theopposite direction.

15 In a device of the class described, the combination of an engine, ashaft adapted to be driven thereby, a gear transmisison between said 1engine and shaft, 9. reciprocatable plunger operatively connected tosaid gear transmission for effecting change in the gear ratio, saidplunger be- 7 ing capable of lateral adjustment according to andpreparatory to the change desired in the 1 gear ratio, means including adistributor for,

transmitting energy to said, plunger, adjustable means for establishingproper control connections through the distributor according to the gearratio desired 'and for simultaneously adjusting said plunger laterallyin one direction in accordance with the adjustment of the distributor,and means for automatically effecting lateral adjustment thereof in theopposite direction.

KENNETH W. GASKILL.

iso

